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The history of the Daimler-owned Maybachbrand is long and storied, but with sales struggles in recent years, a Maybach vehicle has not been built since 2012. Last fall, Daimler announced that the legendary marque would become a sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz (also owned by Daimler). In November, almost simultaneously at the autos shows in Guangzhou, China, and Los Angeles, the first model from the new Mercedes-Maybach brand was unveiled.

The 2016 Mercedes-Maybach S600 (MM S600) is outfitted with the same 6-liter twin-turbocharged V-12 engine that powers the Mercedes-Benz S600, with an output of 523 hp and 612 ft lbs of torque. The new car is 8 inches longer than the standard S600, and Mercedes claims that its low cabin noise makes it the world’s quietest production sedan.

Gorden Wagener, head of design for Daimler, has, along with his team, further distinguished the MM S600 by eliminating the triangle window of the S600 and melding it into the C-pillars, with the double-M badge framed inside a newly added arched triangle frame. And as with older Maybach models, a full panoramic sunroof and privacy shades for the rear window are standard on the new vehicle.

For the interior, from the headliner to the doorsills, the MM S600 is covered in leather. And while Mercedes offers multiple interior options, an audiophile-grade Burmester surround-sound system, highlighted with fiber-optic-lit tweeters, comes standard. The show model included a piano-black paint job and inlaid wood accents. The 2016 Mercedes-Maybach S600 will be available in April 2015, priced from roughly $190,000. (mbusa.com)